Commercial transportation safety is a multifaceted issue. It’s not just the responsibility of drivers or fleet managers. Implementing a culture of safety is a team effort that involves every employee in a trucking company. From 2015 to 2016, fatal accidents involving trucks increased by 3%. In almost three-fourths or those incidents, some form of encroachment played a role (i.e. an animal, person, vehicle, etc.). The following are several suggestions to reduce these crashes and improve roadway safety.

Trucking Manufacturers and Suppliers

Technological advances within the trucking industry have made significant strides toward improving transportation safety. Lane departure warning systems, collision mitigation technology, and more all helped contribute. Fleets are usually quick to adopt these technologies, but manufacturers and suppliers shouldn’t become complacent. Any fatality is unacceptable and drivers depend on innovators to keep developing and improving safety technology.

Developing a Culture of Safety for All

While innovative technology is necessary to improve trucking safety, it can’t do the job alone. Fleets need to implement and support a culture of safety. This means holding onboard safety training as well as ongoing safety exercises and drills. Making safety a priority all year round is vital to reducing trucking accidents. This includes making sure dispatchers don’t compel drivers to make deliveries with impractical time frames.

Adjusting Shipper Expectations

Creating a holistic environment of safety includes shippers as well. If drivers, fleet managers, and dispatchers focus on safety, but then shippers aren’t on board, safety efforts will corrode. Shippers anticipate timely deliveries, but they need to ensure their behaviors contribute to keeping the original timetable. For example, shippers need to reduce the amount of time they detain drivers at staging and unloading facilities to allow drivers the maximum amount of time on the road. Otherwise, drivers may have to stop before reaching their destination to comply with hours of service (HOS) regulations, which will delay shipments.

Improving safety is an industry-wide responsibility. If your fleet is struggling with poor safety ratings or a high number of accidents, DriverCheck can help. Our How’s My Driving? Program improves driver behaviors to reduce collisions. Contact us to learn more.